Instrument case



Sept. 29, 1931,

L. c. SHIPPY 1,825,426

INSTRUMENT GAS E Filed May 25, 1929 20 61 Shapy Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE "LEO G. SHIPPY, F ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO DELCO-REMY CORPORATION, OF

I ANDERSON, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE INSTRUMENT CASE Application filed. May 25,

This invention relates to switch structuresv having an inter-connecting relation with registering or indicating instruments closely coupled therewith, and it is an object of U the invention to provide a unitary structure of simple design and less expensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of the instant invention to simplify the devices of the broad to class.

One of the particular objects of this invention is to provide an adequate and positive means of securing transparent closures or other members within a casing, yet permitting a ready removal thereof when occasion so arlses.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being 2 had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front View of a unitary device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the same showing in detail the instant invention. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view as indicated by the line and arrows 33 of 30 Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the illumination aperture.

Figs. 5 and 6 are plan and edge vlews respectively of a retaining ring contributing to the instant invention.

With particular reference to the drawings, a mounting bracket which forms the main support of the unit is indicated at and is provided with angularly disposed apertured ears 21 by which the bracket may be secured to the instrument board or other suitable structure of the Vehicle. To the mounting bracket 20 is secured a switch case 22 enclosing a switch mechanism 23 which cooperates with a switch back24, as is usual and well known to those skilled in the art. The mounting bracket 20 also supports an instrument case which in this instance is substantially cylindrical and is provided with peripheral tangs which project through 1929. Serial No. 365,799.

apertures in the mounting bracket 2 and 22. The face of the bracket is appropriately A decorated and provided with the proper indicia to provide a dial plate as indicated generally at 3406. A flanged bezel ring 35 is disposed against the bracket and encircles the inspection opening 33 and the switch controller 34, the bezel ring flange being deformed at 36 for securing the bezel ring to y the mounting bracket as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The instrument case 30 supports a transparent closure 37 for the inspection opening 33 which may be glass or the like.

The side wall of the case is provided with inwardly directed tangs 38 and spring retaining apertures 39, which tangs and apertures are substantially equally spaced around the casing, as indicated in Fig. 2. A compressible gasket 40 is placed in the bottom of the case 30 adjacent the mounting bracket 20, against which is disposed the transparent medium 37. A bowed or U-shaped wire spring 41, substantially the shape and contour as exhibited in Figs. 5 and 6, is placed within the cup 30 so that the diverg ing ends 42 thereof are received by the spring receiving apertures 39 in the wall of the case 30, and so that the transverse are like bends or bights 43 are disposed against the transparent medium 37. The main bight 44 is then pressed inwardly so that the angular junctures 45 may be hooked under the tangs 38 of the case 30. This manner of inserting the spring 41 will tend to straighten out the are like bends 43 and to urge the transparent medium 37 against the gasket IOU 40, so that the case 30 is substantially air and dust tight with respect to the inspection opening 83.

The instrument case 80 is provided at a tliereoi with suitable point in a side wall illumination apertures which admits the light rays from a suitable lamp or otb lumination device associated with the .a. and transmits them upon the indicat means, or registeri instrinnents therevi i in which are to be inspected throng-5h the ering the illumination aperture 50. lllhis structure is clearly indicated in l, 2 out 4 and it is obvious tl at the medii o2 ma: readily be inserted Within the case, the Qlltin Fin. 2.

By the structure herein nrovieed it made possible to closely coup e a mechanism and a registerin52- in, i

which may be adequately housed an:

luminated, so that when conditioned for oneration by a coincidental closing}: of Ll cuit through the switch structure, that Fl'i'icient illumination will be manifest within the case that the means of the device tnercin may be readily inspected through the apertures 37, and yet not produce illumination of the cha 'acter of intensity to blind or Ila into the eyes oi. the driver, as so usual in the ordinary means of instrument illumination.

Vhile the form 01 embodiment 01: present invention as herein disclosed, c n stitutes a preferred form. it to be unde stood that other forms might be adopted, a coming within the scope of the claims whicl follow.

hat is claimed is as follows:

1. In an instrument case, the combination comprising, a mounting brazltet provided with a dial plate and supporting an instrument case, said dial plate and mount ing bracket providing an insuection opering, said instrument case being aperture-1 to provide an illumination opening a mansparent medium for each of said openings, said case provided with tane s vihich cooperate in the retention of each of said transparent mediums, and re lent means disposed between some of said tongs and one 01"" said transparent mediums for securing the same within the case.

2. In an instrument case, ti e coml comprising, a mounting bracket l' with a dial plate and supporting ment case, said dial plate a bracket providing an inspection wpeni said instrlnnent case being aperture i to provide an illumination opening, a transparent medium for each of said openings, said case provided with bangs adjacent one of said openin s for securing the respective t'ansmedium, and with other tangs for n'ing ring disposed inst sparent medium.

' fument case, the combination mounting bracket provided and supporting an instrudial plat and mounting an inspection opening, 0 being apertured to pro- ,on o iening, a transparent For each of said openings, said case tangs adjacent he light apere ior receivii the respcc transparent f other tangs provided by said case 1215; the other transparent medium. an instrument case, the con'ibinat'on orovidn 'ase being apertnred to proopening, a t ans )arent n Y a 1' said openings, said case 152s adja ent the light aperrespective transparent Hangs provided by said case ininp, the other transparent medium, t means anchored under said other and disposed against one of said arent mediums for maintaining the association relative to the rective openii 5. In an inst; ument case, the combination comprising, a mounting bracket provided with a dial plate and supporting an ill strurient cae, said dial plate and mountinnbracket providing an inspect-ion openinn, saic instrument case being agertured to provi e an illumination opening, a trans parent medium for each of said openings, said case provided with tangs adjacent the aperture for receiving the respective medium, other tangs provided for retaining the other t ansparent mecium, a U-shaped spring secured under Mair other tangs for 'etaining the second transparent medium within the instrument 6. in a case. n instrument case, the combination 0, a mounting bracket provided a a plate and supporting an instrui i cut cas being aperturcd to provide iliur ination opening, a transparent h of said openings, said case tangs adjacent the light aperthe respective transparent as provided by sair case me other transparent medium, a bowed Wire spring disposed between said tangs and the second transparent medium and urging the same in close engagement with the inspection apertures.

7. In an instrument case, the combination comprising, a mounting bracket provided with a dial plate and supporting an instrument case, said dial plate and mounting bracket providing an inspection opening, said instrument case being apertured to provide an illumination opening, a transparent medium for each of said openings, said case provided with tangs adjacent the light aperture for receiving the respective transparent medium, other tangs provided by said case for retaining the other transparent medium, a bowed wire spring disposed between said tangs and the second transparent medium and urging the same in close engagement with the inspection apertures, the free ends of said bowed spring being received in lateral apertures of the case adjacent the mounting bracket.

8. In an instrument case, the combination comprising, a mounting bracket provided with a dial plate and supporting an instrument case, said dial plate and mounting bracket providing an inspection opening, said instrument case being apertured to provide an illumination opening, a transparent medium for each of said openings, said case provided with tangs adjacent the light aperture for receiving the respective transparent medium, other tangs provided bysaid case for retaining the other transparent medium, a bowed wire spring disposed between said tangs and the second transparent medium and urging the same in close engagement with the inspection apertures, the free ends of said bowed spring being received in lateral apertures of the case adjacent the mounting bracket, said spring being arced transverse to said main bow, so that when the free ends thereof are inserted within the spring receiving apertures of said case and that the bight is depressed to be received under the tangs that the arched portion of said spring will engage the transparent medium at substantially diametric points and will urge said medium toward the mounting bracket.

9. In an instrument case, the combination comprising, a mounting bracket provided; with a dial plate and supporting an instrument case, said dial plate and mounting bracket providing an inspection opening, said instrument case being apertured to provide an illumination opening, a transparent medium for each of said openings, said case provided with tangs adjacent said openings for securing the respective transparent mediums, and a spring ring cooperating with some of said tangs for securing one of said mediums.

10. In an instrument case, the combination comprising a case having a side wall and an apertured front wall, a transparent plate covering the aperture, and means for retaining the plate against the front wall comprising lugs integral with the case and extending inwardly from the side wall and a U-shaped wire part having a resilient yoke portion adapted to be secured in position against the sides of the lugs facing the plate and resilient branches normally bowed toward the plate, each branch bearing against the plate, and means provided by the case for engaging the free ends of the branches.

11. In an instrument case, the combination comprising a case having a side wall and an apertured front wall, a transparent plate covering the aperture, and means for retaining the plate against the front wall comprising resilient parts normally bowed toward the plate, and members provided by the side wall of the case for engaging the ends of the resilient parts.

12. In an instrument case, the combination comprising a case having a side wall and an apertured front wall, a transparent plate covering the aperture, and means for retaining the plate against the front wall comprising a resilient wire part having branches 42 joined by a bight 4A and branches normally diverging from the bight to an extent such as to require moving the branches together when placing the part within the case, each branch having a bowed portion engaging the plate, and means provided by the side wall of the case for retaining the wire part in position.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

LEO C. SHIPPY. 

